Orchid Mantis is the project of Atlanta-based songwriter/found sound collector Thomas Howard. The Crosby, Stills and Nash as recorded on the bridge of a wooden sailing ship sonics of “Late Summer Sun” create an engaging/magnetic dynamic against Howard’s adventurous and great melodic swerves. One of our favorite tracks of the year so far.
Orchid Mantis 
(Facebook) (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.4938
Orlando FL duo SALES invoke the ghost of Broken Social Scene on the soulfully spare and excellent indie pop of “Vow”.
SALES 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
Former Neighbourhood drummer Bryan Sammis makes his solo B3 debut as Olivver with single “Attica ’71”. Focused around a similar in quality and composition to first wave-NBHD rhythm track, “Attica ’71” is propelled forward by Sammis’ A+ melodic construction and early Phoenix-esque (“Everything Is Everything”, “Run Run Run”, etc) modern funk-injected sensibilities in song’s immediate web of catchiness and hooks.
Olivver 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.4
Jazmine Sullivan, who’s biggest entry in the urban charts is probably that Missy-assisted reggae-tinged “Need You Bad” track from a few years ago, makes an emphatic return with the Meek Mill featuring R&B sortee “Dumb”. The minimalist kick drum/vocal sample-driven track is big on energy and charisma while working stylistically in a different/refresing/no Ty Dolla Sign palette of sounds. Give “Dumb” your attention below
Jazmine Sullivan 
Facebook)
Rating: 8.3
“Electric Baby” is the new one from Brit/Aus indie pop duo Solomon Grey. “Electric Baby” is buoyed by dark buzzing electronics and creatively wound and arranged vocal harmonies and then boosted up by clattering bits of 808 percussion. “EB” will be released as a single next month and is slated to appear Solomon Grey’s debut LP due later this year.
Solomon Grey 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.3
L.A.-based songstress Madi Diaz releases bright single “Stay Together”. Instantly catchy and super upbeat, the song has that special warm seasonality to surely be a fixture on many summer playlists. With big things forthcoming from her full length Phantoms (Nettwerk Music Group), Madi will hit the road with Wolf Gang and Fitz & The Tantrums this June. Reviewed by Brian Litwin
Madi Diaz 
(Official) (Twitter)
Rating 8.1
New label, new band. Hailing from West Palm Beach but now calling Brooklyn home, gritty and daring punk outfit SLAVVE throw down on first single “Pity Party”. SLAVVE’s debut EP is due June 24th on the new Portland, OR label Bloodmoss Records – and if “Pity Party” is even the tiniest window into the whole of the EP, we are stoked. Reviewed by Brian Litwin
SLAVVE Facebook)
Rating: 8.3
The esteemable Aussies Gold Fields outfit Zella Day’s “SO” with a breezy summertime house sheen custom-tailored for soaring temperatures.
Gold Fields (Facebook)
Rating 8.3
The latest stylistic iteration from Paul Dixon a/k/a FYFE is the more consciously urban in style “For You”. Contrasting w/ last year’s buzz singles “St. Tropez” and “Solace”, “For You”s hooks are immediate; the magnetism and infectiousness that was more subtle/obscured in those earlier tracks has with success been arranged much further to the track’s front. We’re digging it.
FYFE 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4
“You” is the lead single from UK artist TCTS‘ sophomore EP outing “Games”. Featuring songwriter Sam Sure (of duo Sam Sure & Giacomo), “You” is a minimalist midtempo house-influenced number with just enough pulse and syncopation to be dance floor relevant as it is headphones relevant. “Games” is forthcoming on MTA Records.
TCTS (Facebook)
Rating 8.2
Italian producer Favulous tries on a vibe-y, molasses-bathed stylistic update for Lapalux’s “Without You” with standout results. A++++
Favulous 
(Soundcloud)
Rating: 8.3
Swedish buzz twosome Say Lou Lou, who broke out on blogs last year with the great “Julian”, release today with “Peppermint” a spacious and cinematic synth-pop paean that is the b-side to current single “Everything We Touch”.
Say Lou Lou 
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